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Banned in Kenya, Brookside Dairy finds lifeline in Algeria, securing a crucial export opportunity that could revive its operations after more than 800 days of trade restrictions. Brookside Dairy Uganda, a subsidiary of Kenya-based Brookside Dairy, has been granted a three-month exclusive window to supply powdered milk to Algeria, offering a much-needed outlet for its accumulated stock and a fresh start in North Africa’s $500 million dairy market.
The lifeline comes after the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) blocked Brookside Uganda’s products from entering the Kenyan market in March 2023, citing concerns over reconstituted milk imports. While other Ugandan brands like Lato and Dairy Top continue to enjoy unrestricted access, Brookside has remained sidelined, prompting speculation that the ban may be politically motivated. Industry insiders suggest tensions between former President Uhuru Kenyatta—whose family holds a majority stake in Brookside—and his successor William Ruto may have influenced the decision.
To cushion the impact, Uganda’s Dairy Development and Production Commissioner Samson Akankiza confirmed that Brookside Uganda would be the first of four local manufacturers to export powdered milk to Algeria between May and July 2025. “Brookside had accumulated stock due to restricted access to the Kenyan market. We agreed to allocate them the first export slot to Algeria,” Akankiza said.
Following Brookside’s window, Pearl Dairies, Amos Dairies, and Bennifoods will take turns supplying the Algerian market in subsequent three-month phases. Bennifoods, the newest entrant in Uganda’s dairy sector, operates a plant in Lyantonde District and is expected to benefit from the expanded export strategy.
Uganda is also in talks with Morocco to open another export channel, targeting the country’s growing middle class and rising demand for packaged dairy products. The Moroccan dairy market, valued at $1.39 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $1.69 billion by 2030, making it a strategic target for Uganda’s dairy ambitions.
Brookside Dairy Uganda’s exclusion from Kenya’s market has raised questions about regional trade fairness under the East African Community (EAC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) frameworks. President Ruto previously explained that the ban was aimed at preventing the reconstitution of imported powdered milk in neighboring countries for resale in Kenya, a practice he said undermines local farmers.
Despite the setback, Brookside remains a dominant force in East Africa’s dairy industry, with operations in Uganda, Tanzania, and plans for expansion into Ethiopia and Nigeria. The company’s extensive farmer support programs, including training, credit access, and cooling infrastructure, have made it a key player in regional agricultural development.
The Algerian deal offers Brookside a chance to reset its export strategy and tap into new markets beyond East Africa. With Algeria’s dairy sector heavily reliant on imports, the timing could not be better for Brookside to reassert its presence and diversify its revenue streams.
As Uganda positions itself as a regional dairy powerhouse, the success of Brookside’s Algerian venture could pave the way for broader market access and reinforce the country’s role in Africa’s agricultural transformation. For Brookside, the lifeline in Algeria is more than a trade deal—it’s a second chance to thrive.